Replies

1. 
   spinnm | May 16, 2002 06:02pm | #1

   Ah, right up my alley.  In NM, use it all the time.

   Lots of thin-set.  They're slightly concave.  3/4" notch.

   Used the presealed ones....once.  Don't know what the hell that stuff is.  Some kind of epoxy we guessed....tile company didn't know....came from Mexico that way.  Grouting caused fine scratches.  Wound up getting an orbital floor sander to get some of it off....then had to reseal.  Held my breath waiting to see if the sealer would mate to whatever it was.  Worked fine.  Whew!  Never again.

   Grout joint can go up to an inch.  I personally think about 3/4" looks right.  Edges are not uniform.  Have used colored, sanded grout lately.  Think I'll go back to the grey.  Find that the color fades/looks funky over time with a joint that wide.

   If you use raw Saltillo, have a drywall bucket with water and dump a few in it as you're laying.  Otherwise the tile #### all the moisture out of the thinset.  Sometimes they will split as you're pushing down to set them.  You can pull the pieces apart (assuming only two), have a grout joint of about 1/4" and use them....part of the charm.  Raw comes in "regular" or "super".  The super is more uniform and of course, costs a little more. 

   I don't use baseboard.  Depending upon where you are, that may be radical.  Since they're not flat and uniform, baseboard looks goofy.  And, of course that requires careful grouting and painting along the walls.  When I do it, it's an adobe house with tile throughout...so no baseboard anywhere.  I get the matching sanded caulk and run it along the perimeter where the grout will pull away from the adjoining surface.  Works fine.  Or, if you can find a bullnose, you can use that for baseboard....if the walls are flat.

   My sealer of choice is made by Sparks Southwest in Texas.  Oil.  First coat is Stone Glamour, then their companion product, Mex Seal.  Must seal b4 grouting.  3-5 coats.  I've done it with brush, roller, garden sprayer and lamb's wool pad.  Be careful of bubbles if you use a roller.  Be careful of ponding.  Enough coats to bring up a shine.  Then, grout and seal some more.  Be meticulous about cleaning the grouting as you go.

   Very labor intensive.  Nothing looks like the real thing, but there are now ceramics that emulate the look.  Will have to be resealed every 1-2 years to maintain a shine and protection against grease if in a kitchen/dining room.  Maybe you can talk them out of it.  :o)

   Shelley

1. 
   FastEddie1 | May 16, 2002 08:48pm | #2

   I did my kitchen and dinette a year ago, and agree with everything SB says, although I used a different sealer.  I actually used ZEP High Traffic floor sealer; it's been a year, and there are only minor scratches showing.  My joints are less than 1/2" and look good in the size room I have.  The hardest part was grouting.  I used tan grout made for saltillo, only comes in about 3-4 colors, and it was a **** pushing that much wet sand around.  I also used the least expensive tiles, which are quite variable in thickness and not even close to flat, and they have some color variation.  Here in SoTX the super saltillo and prefinished style are uniformly flat and uniformly colored, which takes away a lot of the charm.  SB didn't say how he cut his tiles, but I found that an abrasive blade in a really cheap table say works very well, just be sure you do it outside. 

1. 
   spinnm | May 16, 2002 09:24pm | #3

   Agree with you about the uniform color on the presealed ones.  But here, the super is just a little more uniform in shape with rounded corners.  You still get the wonderful variation of color....red, pink, yellow....sometimes in the same tile!

   I certainly don't think that's there's only one sealer.  Just suggested the one that I have determined is the best for me.  Just stay away from the acrylics.  They dry quickly, but oil will hold up better and last longer.  Joint thing is preference also.

   We have a wet saw, so we use it.  Cuts like butter.  You can use a masonry blade but as you said, do it outside and wear a mask.  Unbelieveable dust!

   Shelley

2. 
   greystripe | May 18, 2002 05:04pm | #6

   Thanks for the tips and opinions.

   Stony

2. 
   greystripe | May 18, 2002 05:03pm | #5

   Thanks for all of your help.

   Stony

2. 
   andybuildz | May 17, 2002 01:52am | #4

   have a hard time reading long answers so I wont yet I'm sure its right on the

   money....

   Whatcha do is......big garbage can filled with water///set an hours 

   worth of terrocotta in it. Pull em' out one by one and if your using thinset.....use a deep notched trowel. Don't expect to eyeball "edges" of tile as they are irregualer. Trick is to sight it down a center line. Theyre "irregular!  Its a real craft....ya gotta be one with the tile. Have fun...cause it is fun.....

   Be well

           Namaste'

                           Andy

   It's not who's right, it's who's left ~ http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   greystripe | May 18, 2002 05:05pm | #7

   Andy;

    Thanks for your input on this subject.

   Stony